If it appears to your Local Council that you may be in need of ‘community care services’ because of old age or disability, it must carry out a community care needs assessment to determine, which, if any, community care services are required.

Community care services can be wide ranging and include help with personal care.  Most councils will only provide assistance to those whose needs are assessed as critical or substantial.  Where the Council agrees to provide services they may be funded by direct payments where the service user purchases care from a Care Agency, for example.

Our specialist community care lawyers can advise you regarding the assessment process and may be able to assist you in challenging a failure to assess by the Council or a dispute about your need for community care services. 

Our lawyers can also advise you regarding other aspects of community care law, including assistance under the Children Act, Care Homes, Mental Capacity Act issues, and support for those who are not eligible for assistance under homelessness legislation, including asylum seekers.